Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Since I founded the Free State Foundation in 2006, I’ve
tried to pen special holiday messages to our friends and supporters on Memorial
Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. As we enter our second decade, I
don’t plan on stopping the tradition any time soon. So, here’s hoping you don’t
mind.

Of course, there are many more holidays on the calendar from
which to choose if I were so inclined. But to me, Independence Day, Memorial
Day, and Thanksgiving are uniquely American holidays. I am unabashed in my
belief that America is a unique nation, blessed with a unique form of
government bequeathed to us by our Founders.

That the Founders were not, by any means, perfect men does
not mean that they lacked the foresight and wisdom to bequeath to us the means
by which “to form a more perfect Union.”

From its inception, the Free State Foundation has proclaimed
as its mission the promotion of free market, limited government, and rule of
law principles. In that vein, we have focused on eliminating unnecessary regulatory mandates, protecting individual and
economic liberty, including property rights, and making government more
effective, efficient, and accountable.

On this Thanksgiving, as always, I’m grateful that we live
in a free country in which we can freely advocate for the adoption of laws and
policies that, in our view, comport with our principles. And I’m equally
grateful that you are able to freely advocate for yours. In other words, while
we at the Free State Foundation advocate, vigorously I hope, for the adoption of
free market and limited government policies, you may, if you wish, advocate for
the adoption of anti-free market and anti-limited government policies.

But here’s what is most important: All of us must advocate –
that is, exercise our First Amendment rights – consistent with the rule of law
and within the constraints of our Constitution. That is what ultimately binds
us together as Americans. On adherence to the rule of law, there should not –
must not! – be disagreement, or we will lose that which makes America
exceptional.

This year has been one in which my own family has had to
confront personal challenges, and I am sure the same is true for some of you as
well. But we know we have many blessings to count, and for that we are
thankful. And I certainly hope the same is true for you.

So, in the spirit of a uniquely American holiday, and with
much for which to be grateful, on behalf of those of us at the Free State
Foundation, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and a meaningful one too.